Guidelines For Handling Wild Animals

Each new step in training must be introduced
slowly and carefully to avoid triggering a FLIGHT FEAR REACTION.
If a bad "fear" memory is formed during training, a very
flighty animal may become more difficult if not impossible to train.
Fear memories can be formed by either a painful or a non-painful,
highly adversive, frightening event.

Use food treats which are highly palatable and not part of the
animals regular diet.

The animal's FIRST EXPERIENCES when training must be as pleasant as
possible to prevent a "fear" memory. Do not attempt to force a flighty
animal in any way. If the animal begins to exhibit signs of agitation
and stress - DO NOT CONTINUE. Wait for the next training session and try
again. It is recommended that training sessions be at least 24 hours
apart to allow the animal sufficiant time to calm down.

The person doing the training must be a person the animal trusts.
This trust can be developed by habituating the animal to the trainer's
physical presence in or around the stall. Just allowing the animal to
accept an individual's quiet presence would be the animal's
training at this stage. People that can be associated with
possible traumatic past experiences should not attempt to train the
animal because in the
majority of cases, the animal already associates these people with
a fear memory. Examples of traumatic past experiences :